"Unfortunately I misjudged you, you are just a stupid police man... " When Joseph Wise's Dr. No character dismissed Sean Connery's James Bond with these words in October 1962, he also targeted the risky task that producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman had taken on in trying to bring Ian Fleming's wildly popular 007 to the screen. Along with director Terrence Young and Connery, the Eon Productions team succeeded beyond all expectations, catapulting Fleming's character into not only the biggest screen franchise in history but a pop icon of the first degree.

The archetypal encounter between Holmes and the curse of the Baskervilles is perhaps the best known of the consulting detective's adventure and most adapted for film, television, novel and radio. In brief, the story centres around Holmes and his ever trusty assistant, Watson, who together investigate the curse of Baskerville, a hound from hell seeking revenge on any member of the Baskerville family, and their task is to protect the newly adopted country squire Sir Henry Baskerville (just arrived from the USA). All set in the beautiful backdrop of Dartmoor, it is a classic story of murder, deception, red herrings, folklore and suspense, scattered with a host of suspects resulting in a climatic ending where the villain is unmasked and Baker Street's finest faces the evil hound.

It is one o'clock in the morning, you are restless with eyes wide open and your once familiar and safe bedroom now seems like an unknown place as the shadow of the wardrobe towers over you. Suddenly the silence of the night is broken when you hear a creak on the stairs, it startles you, but you reassure yourself that it's the water pipes, and then hear it again but this time it's louder. Like a scared child you pull the duvet over your head, as the anxiety kicks in, as the creak becomes thunderously loud drawing nearer.....

Acorn Media UK has released six episodes of the hugely successful BBC's TV show Dixon of Dock Green. Prior to becoming a TV series, PC George Dixon (Jack Warner) was a character in an Ealing Film, The Blue Lamp (1950), where Dixon was shot and killed by the distressed and naïve criminal Tom Riley (Dirk Bogarde). Dixon was a kind hearted and conscientious copper, patrolling the streets of Paddington London, and just about to retire from the police force, before his murder. A subplot used by Hollywood many times. It was paramount that the British public had warmed to Dixon and his demonstrative ways. Yet he was shrewd and did not suffer fools gladly. Hence his own TV show with a move to East London; which ran from 1955 to 1976.

Essex 1967, the careers officer raises his eye brows at the school boy, as he searches for the right words so he doesn't hurt the kid's feelings, "An actor, that's what you want to do as a job when you leave school? ". The blonde school boy with a small frame and short in height, nods with no enthusiasm. Since he yearned to become an actor, he has grown accustomed to the mocking, a disguise for jealously and envy. His peers recite lines from Shakespeare, which, most of the time, are misquoted. In fact the ridicules have hardened him. As living on a council estate in Essex has made him tough. He knew how to handle the lads,

The British gangster movie, tales of no messing geezers, who conduct shady deals whilst evading the long arm of the law. Fellas who like to have a drink with the lads, buy their mothers flowers and have a bit on the side.

I suppose it’s a question that anyone who appreciates something gets asked a once in their career of fascination. For me, my turn onto Tony Hancock began with “The Rebel”. I can’t tell you how much the film became a source of inspiration to me over the years. I dare say anyone who has done the commuting lark will connect with that classic scene with Hancock at the beginning of the film.

There is nothing I hate more than a majestic piece of history just forgotten, worse still nothing I hate more than history forgotten so soon after it's time. Saturday on Pentonville Road, Kings Cross, London is the well known Scala Nightclub, a location popular with upcoming bands and singers and now legendary in the Drum And Bass scene. Since 1999 Scala Nightclub has carved itself a certain reputation in London nightlife. But what is the saddest tale of all is that beneath what you see now, is an infinitely more appealing Scala that for over 10 years became a hub of activity and controversy.

In the mid sixties, the world saw the birth of hippies. A counter culture, which questioned so much about society, and was not afraid to suggest an alternative lifestyle to the norm. A spectacular movement, with colourful clothes, magnificent music in the guise of The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix and many more, with mind-bending drugs and free love. An ethos that went way beyond being a bored teenager, and got the whole world thinking.

Follow ZANI on Twitter

Categories

A Crafty Cigarette

About Us

ZANI was conceived in late 2008 and the fan base gradually grew by word of mouth. Key contributors came from those of the music, film and fashion industry and the voice of ZANI grew louder. So, when in 2013 investor, contributor and fan of ZANI Alan McGee* offered his support to help restyle and relaunch the site it was inevitable that traffic would increase dramatically and continues to grow. *Alan McGee co-founder of Creation Records and new label 359 Music..

What We Do

ZANI is an independent online magazine for readers interested in contemporary culture, covering Music, Film & TV, Sport, Art amongst other cultural topics. Relevant to modern times ZANI is a dynamic website and a flagship for creative movement and thinking wherever our readers live in the world.